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ments suitable for human use ; how many diverse costumes and ornaments and arts ? All these things should be considered of equal effect and value when used by the man who can be called a good painter.

32.

If you despise painting, which is the only imi- tator of the visible works of nature, you will cer- tainly despise a subtle invention which with phi- losophy and subtle speculation apprehends the qualities of forms, backgrounds, places, plants, animals, herbs and flowers, which are surrounded by light and shade. And truly this is knowledge and the legitimate offspring of nature, because painting is begotten by nature. But to be correcfl, we will say that it is the grandchild of nature, because all visible things are begotten by nature, and these her children have begotten painting. Therefore we shall rightly say that painting is the grandchild of nature and related to God.

33.

Were a master to boast that he could remember all the forms and effects of nature, he would cer- tainly appear to me to be graced with great ig- norance, inasmuch as these effects are infinite and our memory is not sufficiently capacious to re- tain them. Therefore, O painter, beware lest in thee the lust of gain should overcome the honour of thy art, for the acquisition of honour is a much

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